Support bra system and method

ABSTRACT

A bra is provided in the form of a base structure having a front portion, the front portion including a first cup, a second cup, and a center portion disposed therebetween. A first plurality of elongated elements is coupled to the base structure and are arranged in a substantially parallel manner. A second plurality of elongated elements is also coupled to the base structure. Each elongated element of the second plurality of elongated elements further includes an upper portion, and each upper portion the elongated elements of the second plurality of elongated elements is positioned within or proximate to the center portion of the bra to form a reinforcement zone. In addition, the first plurality of elongated elements at least partially overlies the second plurality of elongated elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/082,144, filed on Oct. 28, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/551,265, filed on Aug. 15, 2017, which is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International PCT Application Number PCT/IB2016/051042, filed on Feb. 25, 2016, which claims the benefit of priority to French Patent Application Number 1551627, filed Feb. 25, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure concerns a reinforced-support bra adapted for athletic use.

BACKGROUND

There are essentially two familiar types of bra adapted for sports use, namely, the compression type and the encapsulation type bra.

The compression type bra has a front portion, generally in the form of a band, which compresses the breasts to limit their movements and swaying.

This type of bra is felt as being uncomfortable by the users.

Furthermore, by compressing the breasts this type of bra can injure the breasts.

The encapsulation type bra comprises a first cup and a second cup to enclose each breast and thus act independently on the movements of each breast.

This type of bra does not compress the breasts and it respects the health of the breasts.

Whether of compression or encapsulation type, the bra comprises a front portion, in contact with the breasts, which is generally made by molding or by sewing.

By molding, the front portion of the bra is shaped by a molding process, such as thermal molding, of one or more materials, especially textile materials.

By sewing, the front portion of the bra is shaped by a traditional tailoring of one or more pieces of textile materials which are arranged according to their mechanical properties.

Furthermore, it is known how to reinforce the front portion by adding resin or accessories of framing type, regardless of the fabrication process.

These different types of bras, in order to be effective and adapted to athletic use, require a complex and difficult fabrication owing to the many materials used and their fabrication process.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a bra is provided in the form of a base structure having a front portion, the front portion including a first cup, a second cup, and a center portion disposed of therebetween. A first plurality of elongated elements is coupled to the base structure and is arranged in a substantially parallel manner. In addition, a second plurality of elongated elements is coupled to the base structure. Each elongated element of the second plurality of elongated elements further includes an upper portion, and each upper portion of the elongated elements of the second plurality of elongated elements is positioned within or proximate to the center portion of the bra to form a reinforcement zone. The first plurality of elongated elements at least partially overlies the second plurality of elongated elements.

In some embodiments, the base structure is provided in the form of a three-dimensional knit structure.

In other embodiments, the base structure comprises a front layer and a rear layer, and the first and second pluralities of elongated elements are positioned between the front layer and the rear layer.

In yet other embodiments, the base structure further includes an intermediate layer positioned between the front layer and the rear layer, and the first and second pluralities of elongated elements are formed from or within the intermediate layer.

In some embodiments, the front layer comprises a first fabric and the rear layer comprises a second fabric. In some instances, the second fabric is different from the first fabric.

In another aspect, a bra cup is provided in the form of a body extending from an apex portion to an outer edge. The body is provided in a substantially hemispherical shape. The body of the bra cup further comprises a first fabric layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the first fabric layer providing an exterior surface of the body. The support system further includes a first set of support elements, the first set of support elements including a first assembly of elongated components. Each elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components has a first curved shape and extends across the body of the bra cup. In addition, the support system includes a second set of support elements having a second assembly of elongated components. Each elongated component of the second assembly of elongated components has a second curved shape. The support system is coupled to the inner surface of the first fabric layer.

In some embodiments, each elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components extends from a first portion of the bra cup to a second portion of the bra cup.

In other embodiments, the first assembly of elongated components abuts the inner surface of the first fabric layer and each elongated component of the second assembly of elongated components at least partially overlies at least one elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components.

In yet other embodiments, at least some of the first set of support elements and at least some of the second set of support elements are arranged to form a mesh zone on the body of the bra cup.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the mesh zone is provided below the apex portion of the bra cup.

In yet another aspect, a bra is provided. The bra comprises a first cup and a second cup. The first cup has a first inner edge and a first outer edge, and the second cup has a second inner edge and a second outer edge. The first inner edge of the first cup is positioned proximate or adjacent to the second inner edge of the second cup. The bra further includes a back fixation strap extending from the first outer edge to the second outer edge to form a bra body. The bra also includes a first group of elongated components extending from the first outer edge of the first cup and to the second outer edge of the second cup. The bra further includes a second group of elongated components positioned on the first cup, the second group of elongated components at least partially overlapping a first portion of the first group of elongated components positioned on the first cup. The bra also includes a third group of elongated components positioned on the second cup, the second group of elongated components at least partially overlapping a second portion of the first group of elongated components positioned on the second cup. The second group of elongated components and the third group of elongated components at least partially overlap.

In some embodiments, the bra further comprises a first shoulder strap having a first end positioned proximate or adjacent to the first cup and a second shoulder strap having a second end positioned proximate or adjacent to the second cup. In some cases, at least one elongated component of the first group of elongated components extends from a first position proximate or adjacent to the first end of the first shoulder strap to a second position proximate or adjacent to the second end of the second shoulder strap.

In other embodiments, the first plurality of elongated components are imparted with a first elasticity, the second plurality of elongated components are imparted with a second elasticity, the third plurality of elongated components are imparted with a third elasticity, and the first elasticity is different from the third elasticity.

In yet other embodiments, the bra further includes a center region positioned at least partially above the first inner edge of the first cup and the second inner edge of the second cup, wherein the second and third groups of elongated components at least partially overlap in the center region.

In some embodiments, the first and second groups of elongated components overlap at least partially in a first lower region of the first cup and the first and third groups of elongated components overlap at least partially in a second lower region of the second cup.

In other embodiments, at least one elongated component of the first group of elongated components is provided in a substantially U-shaped configuration.

In yet other embodiments, the first and second groups of elongated components form a first mesh zone adapted to provide support to the first cup, and the first and third groups of elongated components form a second mesh zone adapted to provide support to the second cup.

In some embodiments, each elongated component of the first group of elongated components is arranged in a first spaced-apart relationship, each elongated component of the second group of elongated components is arranged in a second spaced-apart relationship, and each elongated component of the third group of elongated components is arranged in a third spaced-apart relationship.

In other embodiments, each elongated component of the first group of elongated components is substantially parallel with respect to each other.

In yet other embodiments, the back fixation strap includes an attachment mechanism, and the attachment mechanism is configured to place the back fixation strap into an open configuration and a closed configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the disclosure will appear from the perusal of the following detailed specification, referring to the enclosed drawings for its comprehension, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front assembled view illustrating a bra whose cups are outfitted with elongated support elements according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front assembled view similar to that of FIG. 1 , illustrating zones of action of the elongated elements; and

FIG. 3 is a profile view, illustrating the shape of the cups and the back fixation strap of the bra.

In the present application, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, and their derivatives refer to the position or the orientation of an element, this position or this orientation being considered when the bra is worn by a user standing upright.

Moreover, to clarify the specification and the claims, we shall use, in nonlimiting fashion, the terminology of longitudinal, vertical and transversal in regard to the trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures.

In all of these figures, identical or analogous references represent identical or analogous elements or groups of elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is shown in FIG. 1 a bra 10 adapted for athletic use, being shown in a configuration as worn by a person standing upright.

The bra 10 has a first cup 12 a and a second cup 12 b which belong to a front portion 13 of the bra 10.

The two cups 12 a, 12 b are aligned transversely and arranged on either side of a plane of symmetry P of general layout of the bra 10, visible in FIG. 1 .

To facilitate an understanding of the specification, the identical and symmetrical elements according to the plane of symmetry P are distinguished by a reference numeral followed by the letter “a” or “b”.

Each cup 12 a, 12 b is bounded transversely by an outer edge 14 a, 14 b and by an inner edge 16 a, 16 b, respectively.

Moreover, each cup 12 a, 12 b has an overall hemispherical shape, with convexity oriented to the front in a longitudinal direction.

The bra 10 has a back fixation strap 18, visible in FIG. 3 , which is composed here of a first web 20 a and a second web 20 b which can be connected to each other at the back of the person using the bra by a movable attachment means (not shown) of the type with a hook and complementary catches, for example.

The first web 20 a of the fixation strap 18 is joined to the outer edge 14 a of the first cup 12 a and the second web 20 b of the fixation strap 18 is joined to the outer edge 14 b of the second cup 12 b.

In a nonlimiting fashion, the bra 10 can also be designed for attachment in front, between the two cups 12 a, 12 b, according to a sample embodiment not represented.

Likewise, the bra 10 can be made into a tube without attachment means, to be slipped on over the head.

The back fixation strap 18 is made of knit which can stretch in a transverse direction corresponding to its long dimension, for example.

Moreover, the bra 10 is outfitted with a pair of suspenders (i.e., shoulder straps) 24 a, 24 b which are designed to support the bra 10 on the shoulders of the person wearing it.

According to the disclosure, each cup 12 a, 12 b is equipped with a support structure applied to a base structure 11 which forms the backbone of the bra 10. The base structure 11 is made of knit, for example.

The support structure of each cup 12 a, 12 b comprises a first support strap 25 a, 25 b and a second support strap 27 a, 27 b, respectively, each having an overall cradle shape, that is, a concave curved shape with concavity oriented overall toward the top.

The first straps 25 a, 25 b and the second straps 27 a, 27 b are elastically deformable and they extend from the outer edge 14 a, 14 b respectively of the associated cup 12 a, 12 b, to the inner edge 16 a, 16 b respectively of the associated cup 12 a, 12 b, in order to support the breasts.

Moreover, the first support straps 25 a, 25 b are formed by a first series of elongated elements 28 a, 28 b respectively, which are elastically deformable and which extend in overall parallel manner to each other, and the second support straps 27 a, 27 b are formed by a second series of elongated elements 30 a, 30 b respectively, which are elastically deformable and which extend in overall parallel manner to each other.

It is meant by elongated element, any slender element, such as a strap or a cord, for example.

Also, the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b can have different elasticities.

The elongated elements 28 a, 28 b of the first series, being six in number according to the sample embodiment described here, are superimposed and comprise three upper elongated elements 28 a, 28 b each of which has an upper piece 32 a, 32 b extending overall vertically from the base of the suspender 24 a, 24 b.

The upper pieces 32 a, 32 b thus constitute a support sling which works overall vertically as shown by the arrows F1, to support the cups 12 a, 12 b respectively, participating in the supporting of the breasts.

Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 2 , the upper elongated elements 28 a, 28 b of the first series each have an inner piece 34 a, 34 b which extends overall transversely from the central plane of symmetry P, such that the upper elongated elements 28 a, 28 b of the first series are shared by the first cup 12 a and the second cup 12 b.

According to another aspect, the elongated elements 30 a, 30 b of the second series, likewise six in number according to the sample embodiment described here, are superimposed and comprise five elongated elements 30 a, 30 b each of them having an upper piece which extends in oblique manner from the neckline 38 of the bra 10, such that the upper pieces belonging to the first cup 12 a and the upper pieces belonging to the second cup 12 b form a central reinforcement zone Z1 in which these elongated elements are crossed in an X to promote the support at the center of the bra 10, as illustrated by the arrows F3.

Advantageously, each crossing of two elongated elements creates an anchoring point enabling an interaction between these two elongated elements to favor their mechanical strength.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 , the upper elongated elements 30 a, 30 b of the second series each have an outer piece 40 a, 40 b which extends overall transversely to the straps 20 a, 20 b respectively.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b of the first series and the elongated elements 30 a, 30 b of the second series are arranged so that they cross to form a first support meshing zone Z2 at the first cup 12 a and, by symmetry, a second meshing zone Z2 at the second cup 12 b.

Preferably, each meshing zone Z2 is arranged in at least a lower half of the associated cup 12 a, 12 b.

The crossing of two elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b in each meshing zone Z1, Z2 produces an essentially cradle shape providing a bidirectional elasticity to each cup 12 a, 12 b, as illustrated by the arrows F2 in FIG. 2 . This crossing makes it possible to increase the elastic rebound force of the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b so as to support the breasts and reduced the vertical movements.

The bra 10 according to the disclosure can be manufactured by a manufacturing process as described below.

The process involves an assembly step which consists in assembling the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b of the support structure on a base structure forming the backbone of the front portion 13 of the bra 10.

The assembly step is followed by a molding step which consists in molding the assembly comprised of the base structure and the support structure to form the front portion 13 of the bra 10.

The molding step is preferably accomplished by thermal molding, which makes it possible to give shape to the two cups 12 a, 12 b and reinforce the mechanical bonding between the base structure and the support structure.

According to a first embodiment of the process, the assembly step consists in applying the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b to the base structure of the bra 10 by silk screening.

According to this first embodiment of the process, the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b are preferably made of silicone, which makes it possible to lighten the bra while still providing a satisfactory elastic rebound.

As an example, the material used to manufacture the base structure of the front portion 13 of the bra 10 has a molding temperature lower than the melting temperature of the silicone so that the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b preserve their physical elasticity characteristics.

According to a preferred example, the base structure is made of knit of three-dimensional type, known as “3D knit”, or of a three-dimensional monofilament separation fabric, composed of 89 percent polyamide fibers and 11 percent elastane fibers, and having a density of 375 grams per square meter.

According to a second embodiment of the process (not represented), the assembly step consists in assembling by hot gluing the front portion of the bra 10, involving a superpositioning of a front layer and a rear layer designed to be in contact with the skin, the front layer and the rear layer forming the base structure.

As a supplement, an intermediate layer is interposed between the front layer and the rear layer.

The intermediate layer here forms the internal support structure, the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b being cut in the intermediate layer for example in the form of thin strips by a laser cutting process.

According to this second embodiment of the process, the intermediate layer is preferably made of three-dimensional monofilament separation fabric of the type composed of 87 percent polyester fibers and 13 percent elastane fibers, and it has a density of 255 grams per square meter.

Likewise, the front layer is preferably made of jersey knit of the type composed of 80 percent polyamide fibers and 20 percent elastane fibers, and having a density of 80 grams per square meter.

Likewise, the rear layer is preferably made of jersey knit of the type composed of 78 percent polyamide fibers and 22 percent elastane fibers, and having a density of 330 grams per square meter.

According to a third embodiment of the process (not represented), the assembly step consists in embroidering the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b on the base structure of the bra 10.

The elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b are, for example, elastically deformable cords or threads which are resistant to heat.

In fact, according to this third embodiment, the molding step of the assembly formed by the elongated elements 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b and the base structure is preferably carried out by thermal molding.

Finally, according to one variant of the previously described embodiments, the process involves a single molding step which consists in simultaneously molding the base structure 11 and the support structure made from a single piece of material in order to form the front portion 13 of the bra 10.

For this purpose, the base structure and the support structure of the bra 10 are placed for example in a mold and thermally molded together, so as to assemble them and shape them at the same time.

The present specification of the disclosure is given as a nonlimiting example. 

1. A bra, comprising: a base structure forming a front portion of the bra, the front portion of the bra including a first cup, a second cup, and a center portion disposed of therebetween; a first plurality of elongated elements coupled to the base structure and arranged in a substantially parallel manner; and a second plurality of elongated elements coupled to the base structure, wherein each elongated element of the second plurality of elongated elements further includes an upper portion; wherein the upper portion of each elongated element of the second plurality of elongated elements is positioned proximate to the center portion of the bra to form a reinforcement zone, and wherein the first plurality of elongated elements at least partially overlies the second plurality of elongated elements.
 2. The bra of claim 1, wherein the base structure is provided as a three-dimensional knit structure.
 3. The bra of claim 1, wherein the base structure further includes a front layer and a rear layer, and wherein the first plurality of elongated elements and the second plurality of elongated elements are positioned between the front layer and the rear layer.
 4. The bra of claim 3, wherein the base structure further includes an intermediate layer positioned between the front layer and the rear layer, and wherein the first plurality of elongated elements and the second plurality of elongated elements are formed from the intermediate layer.
 5. The bra of claim 3, wherein the front layer comprises a first fabric and the rear layer comprises a second fabric different from the first fabric.
 6. A bra cup, comprising: a body extending from an apex portion to an outer edge and provided in a substantially hemispherical shape, the body further comprising a first fabric layer including an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the first fabric layer providing an exterior surface of the body; and a support system comprising: a first set of support elements, the first set of support elements including a first assembly of elongated components, each elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components having a first curved shape and is configured to extend across the body of the bra cup; and a second set of support elements including a second assembly of elongated components, each elongated component of the second assembly of elongated components having a second curved shape; wherein the support system is coupled to the inner surface of the first fabric layer.
 7. The bra cup of claim 6, wherein each elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components extends from a first portion of the body to a second portion of the body.
 8. The bra cup of claim 6, wherein the first assembly of elongated components abuts the inner surface of the first fabric layer and each elongated component of the second assembly of elongated components at least partially overlies at least one elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components.
 9. The bra cup of claim 6, wherein at least some of the first set of support elements and at least some of the second set of support elements are arranged to form a mesh zone provided on the body of the bra cup.
 10. The bra cup of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the mesh zone is provided below the apex portion of the bra cup.
 11. A bra, comprising: a first cup and a second cup, the first cup having a first inner edge and a first outer edge, the second cup having a second inner edge and second outer edge, and wherein the first inner edge of the first cup is positioned proximate the second inner edge of the second cup; a back fixation strap extending from the first outer edge of the first cup to the second outer edge of the second cup to form a bra body; a first plurality of elongated components extending from the first outer edge of the first cup and to the second outer edge of the second cup; a second plurality of elongated components positioned on the first cup, the second plurality of elongated components at least partially overlapping a first portion of the first plurality of elongated components positioned on the first cup; and a third plurality of elongated components positioned on the second cup, the second plurality of elongated components at least partially overlapping a second portion of the first plurality of elongated components positioned on the second cup, wherein the second plurality of elongated components and the third plurality of elongated components at least partially overlap.
 12. The bra of claim 11 further comprising: a first shoulder strap having a first end positioned proximate to the first cup; a second shoulder strap having a second end positioned proximate to the second cup; and wherein at least one elongated component of the first plurality of elongated components extends from a first position proximate to the first end of the first shoulder strap to a second position proximate to the second end of the second shoulder strap.
 13. The bra of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of elongated components are imparted with a first elasticity, the second plurality of elongated components are imparted with a second elasticity, the third plurality of elongated components are imparted with a third elasticity, and the first elasticity is different from the third elasticity.
 14. The bra of claim 11 further including a center region positioned at least partially above the first inner edge of the first cup and the second inner edge of the second cup, wherein the second and third pluralities of elongated components at least partially overlap in the center region.
 15. The bra of claim 11, wherein the first and second pluralities of elongated components at least partially overlap in a first lower region of the first cup and the first and third pluralities of elongated components at least partially overlap in a second lower region of the second cup.
 16. The bra of claim 11, wherein at least one elongated component of the first plurality of elongated components is provided in a substantially U-shaped configuration.
 17. The bra of claim 11, wherein the first and second pluralities of elongated components form a first mesh zone adapted to provide support to the first cup, and the first and third pluralities of elongated components form a second mesh zone adapted to provide support to the second cup.
 18. The bra of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of elongated components are arranged in a first spaced-apart relationship, the second plurality of elongated components are arranged in a second spaced-apart relationship, and the third plurality of elongated components are arranged in a third spaced-apart relationship.
 19. The bra of claim 11, wherein each elongated component of the first plurality of elongated components is substantially parallel with respect to each other.
 20. The bra of claim 11, wherein the back fixation strap includes an attachment mechanism configured to place the back fixation strap into an open configuration and into a closed configuration. 